Bluetongue has been expected for a long time, partly for the wrong
reason. The midge which has transmitted it around the Mediterranean is very
temperature-dependent and was moving northwards so, in the fullness of time
with global warming, it was expected to arrive, bringing Bluetongue with it.
In fact the virus we have is not the same as that occurring in southern Europe
- there are unanswered questions about this.

Will our winter kill it off?

The crucial factor will be temperature - it needs an average
temperature of 12C year-round. We are not absolutely certain if it is a
question of the midges surviving or the virus surviving in infected animals
and in doing so harbouring a reservoir of virus for midges the next year.

This statement gives the impression that C. Imicola is involved
in BTV 8 transmission in the UK. I should be grateful to learn whether
recent vector surveys have shown the presence of C. Imicola in the outbreak
regions.

08.11.2007

Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health
(SCFCAH)

Meeting 6/7. November 2007

Presentations of member states regarding the Bluetongue situation have
been published on the EU website